LONDON, United-Kingdom, January 14, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Secretary welcomes return of inspirational sexual violence doctor Dr Denis Mukwege to the Panzi Hospital in eastern DRC.
The Foreign Secretary has welcomed the return of Dr Denis Mukwege to the Panzi Hospital in eastern DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo). Dr Mukwege is a well-known Congolese sexual violence specialist. He is founder and Medical Director of the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu in South Kivu, eastern DRC, which specialises in the treatment of victims of sexual violence. On 25 October 2012 Dr Mukwege was attacked by armed men at his house; his guard was shot and killed. The identity and motivation of the perpetrators remains unclear. Dr. Mukwege’s extraordinary and heroic work at the Panzi hospital has saved the lives of tens of thousands of Congolese, many thousands of them women and girls who have been the victims of sexual violence in eastern DRC.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
“I am pleased that Dr Mukwege has decided to return to eastern DRC despite the very real concerns for his safety. Dr Mukwege’s vital work at the Panzi hospital treating many of the survivors of conflict-related sexual violence is truly inspirational. I urge the authorities to continue to investigate the attack that forced him and his family to flee the country last year and to ensure that he can continue to live and work in the region safely.”
Did you find this information helpful? If you did, consider donating.